Connie Collins, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

March 2010

Saturday, March 20, 2010

I was looking for some pictures on my computer and came across this forgotten blog post. Last summer I shared the card with you (here), but forgot to show you how I turned it into a birthday gift for one of my best friends and elementary school teacher, Kelly.

When I purchased the clipboard it was already covered with this fantastic polka dot design. I just added a Melon Mambo ribbon, placed the birthday card in a clear cello bag, and attached it to the clipboard. I made a matching felt flower jumbo paper clip that I cut with the Big Shot and hand-stitched the edges. I love how this turned out. I with I had bought more clipboards, but they sold out so fast that this was the only one I could find.

Friday, March 19, 2010

I've spent the past two weeks nursing everyone else in my family back to health...now it is my turn to be sick. So today's post is short and sweet. Here is a little Easter note card that I made using the Picnic Parade (117044-wood/118541-clear) Level 2 hostess set from the Spring Occassions Mini Catalog and the Eggcoutrements (115164-wood/118556-clear) stamp set. I stamped and watercolored the bunny with a blender pen and used the tip of a Mellow Moss marker to create the grass. Hope you like it.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Hey everyone...this post is a little longer than usual, so be sure to scroll down to see everything.

I made this card for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #56 a few weeks ago, but I just wasn't totally happy with it. I think it was a little too busy and hind sight being 20/20, I wish I hadn't added the felt flowers. But I photographed it anyway and thought I would share it with you reguardless. Then, I thought to myself..."I can do better than this!" so I threw the sketch out the window and did a total re-work of the entire card (be sure to scroll down to see the re-worked card).

I made the original card using Pumpkin Pie & Pink Passion CS, Pumpkin Pie, Razzleberry Lemonade, and Sweet Pea DSP's, the Sweetheart stamp set, Chit Chat rub-ons, and Felt Fushion flowers. For the most part, I liked this card, but I was feeling a little fickle the other day and decided to see what I could come up with if I started fresh.

This is the card after I totally reworked it. It's funny, but just changing a few elements gave this card a totally different look. Now that I I see both cards photographed, it is difficult to say which one I like best. I think this one is my favorite because it isn't so top heavy and has a fresher springtime look. Oh well...it is a woman's perogative to change her mind every once in a while, isn't it? After all, it's like I tell my customers..."it's only paper and ink, if you don't like it, just start over! The most important thing is to just play and have fun creating!"

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Here is a card that I created a few weeks ago for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #56. I have had this card sitting in a stack waiting to be photographed and published on my blog, but I had to go out of town unexpectedly due to the death of my sister's husband from a massive heart attack. I would appreciate your prayers for my sister, Debbie, during this difficult time. Hopefully I will be able to post more regularly now that things have settled down a little.

This card uses the Happy Moments stamp set that you can earn for free with a $50 purchase during Sell-a-bration. I stamped the flowers on Whisper White CS with Basic Black ink and carefully used my blender pen and stamp pads to watercolor the image. I mounted everything on Shades of Spring DSP along with Orchid Opulence and Certainly Celery CS.

The flower image was just a little too large to mount on the scallop punch, so instead I used the 1 3/4" circle punch and mounted it on Orchid Opulence Textured CS that I cut using the XL Pennant Die. The ribbon is retired and no longer available for purchase. I have to be honest and say that I am not crazy about this DSP collection, but this particular sheet has a very Spring-like feel to it.

Monday, March 01, 2010

Hi everyone...I am back! Well, actually, I never went anywhere at all...but I have just had a case of the "bloggers blahs". Over the past few weeks I have watched a lot of television (mostly the Winter Olympics) and while I have done some stamping, I just could not motivate myself to do everything it takes to get my blog entries posted. If you are a blogger, then you know what I mean. This stuff can be a bit time-consuming (to say the least). The days are cold and dreary and I am desperately anticipating springtime. I like to photograph my work on beautiful sunny days, and there haven't been too many of those lately either.

Anyway, I created this cute little box with Old Olive CS and the Bitty Box & Envelope Die (#115967). I love this little box because you don't need adhesive...so you can tie the box closed (for decorative purposes) and the recepient doesn't need to remove the ribbon to open it. Now, before I get a dozen emails asking me how I made the scalloped border with that unusual border, let me just say that if I can get my act together, I will share a video tutorial with you sometime in the near future. It is super easy and all you need it the new Scallop Trim Border Punch (#118870). I layered on a small square of Sweet Pea DSP (#117161), added a rub-on from Chit Chat (#111804), and used a glue dot to attach a Sweet Pea Stitched Felt element (#117266).

I have to share a funny little story about this Sweet Pea DSP. Last weekend I hosted my downline meeting at my home. When I showed the gals this box they all said "but I don't have the Sweet Pea DSP". To this I responed, "But have you even seen it?" This DSP is so beautiful and it is perfect for scrapbookers and cardmakers alike. I immediately ran to my paper stash and grabbed my paper pad. Once everyone had a good look they were all ready to add it to their next order. Sometimes it is difficult to get the "feel" of the paper with only a little one inch swatch in the mini catalog...but let me tell you, it really is wonderful. It may seem a little pricy at $24.95 but you won't be disappointed with this dsp collection. Oh, and don't forget to add the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt to your order as well, because they are simply adorable and they are the perfect compliment to this fantastic paper.

If you would like to place an order for the Sweet Pea Collection, the Scallop Trim Corner Punch, or any of the other fabulous products in the Occassions Mini Catalog (available through Aprl 30, 2010) then just hit the "click to order" button at the end of this post and it will take you to my online shop. Don't forget, you can get the coordinating Scallop Edge Punch for free with a $50 order during Sell-a-bration...so don't wait!